KV R-III to invest in more tech

Thursday

Oct 11, 2012 at 1:00 PM

District has spent about $213K on computers, wireless since July as it shifts emphasis to tech

The Kirksville R-III School District has spent nearly a quarter of a million dollars on technology purchases since this summer, adding to that tally with the approval of about $15,000 in wireless routers Wednesday.

The district has made a concerted effort in the past few months to boost its technology spending, purchasing tablet computers and wireless access points as it strives to adapt its classrooms for tomorrow’s technology.

With Wednesday’s school board approval, the district will be purchasing 21 wireless routers for use at Ray Miller Elementary and the middle school.

The equipment purchase will ideally complete wireless upgrades at those two buildings, with the intent for the district to turn its attention to the primary and high schools.

Schaper related to the board the district’s technology purchases, tallying about $213,000 in the past three months including about $100,000 for smart boards and computers at the middle school, about $35,000 in total for wireless connectivity and about $46,000 on software and e-books for student use and $20,000 on technology at the K-2 grade level.

“We’ve made significant gains in technology purchases,” said Superintendent Patrick Williams. “There’s work to do, and we need to be sure we’re all connected and going forward. This is not a finished project, we will continue.”

Williams said handheld and wireless technologies seemed to fill the horizon, leading the district to pursue both developments for classroom learning.

“We need to keep moving forward as we are,” he said.

The school board also approved several other purchases during its meeting, including nearly $13,000 for a new utility vehicle and $13,000 to replace lunch tables at Ray Miller Elementary.

The new utility vehicle will replace a loaned truck that was being used across the campus. The board approved the low bid of $12,840 from Sydenstricker of Kirksville for a John Deer Gator XUV 625i. That price will be reduced thanks to a $5,000 contribution from the Kirksville R-III Booster Club.

The lunch table purchase was bid out to Palmer Hamilton, LLC at the low-bid cost of $13,026 to replace seven of Ray Miller’s original lunch tables. The new tables will also be handicapped accessible.ciety.